AR Pistol

[JimM44]

I'm sure this has been discussed before, I mostly read the AK boards. I bought a new receiver and the lower parts kit. I know I can build a pistol since it's a virgin receiver. What are the rear stock and upper requirements for a pistol? I don't know anything about AR pistol. I would rather build the pistol than the rifle and now that AWB is gone there is no weight requirment or options. Any help would be appreciated.

[RJ Shooter]

Even if it's a virgin receiver, it still has to be designated by serial number that the manufacturer intended it to be used as a pistol.

As to barrel length, that is not an issue. But no buttstocks are allowed on a pistol without NFA paperwork...

[JimM44]

I'm trying to find it again and then I'll bookmark it. I read a post with a letter from the ATF stating that it the receiver had never been made into a rifle it could be used to build a pistol. There was no mention on a stamp required to be on the receiver. It would be a simple check, to trace the receiver back to the manfacturer, to the dealer and then sold to you as not built. Now it might be a problem for someone who purchased one of these proving the chain of events.

Before 9/14/04 you also had the problem of 50 onces and no more than 2 evil features. That's why they cost over $1,000 for one. Now that law no longer applies.

Here's the letter I was referring to.

http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/user/wbardwel/public/nfalist/atf_letter7.txt

Enjoy

Jim

[kanewtervalve]

I talked to two FFLs, they both agree the stripped lower is designated a firearm when made but not designated a pistol or rifle untill 4433 is filled out. In additiion in PA there is a form to be filled out for pistols that is required by the State Police, if both forms are filled out when the transfer of the stripped lower is sold to you, it is a pistol. As long as you are the first owner and FFL has logged the stripped receiver as a pistol, you are ok.

[JimM44]

I went back and checked how he logged the receiver and he logged it as a receiver, not a pistol or rifle so I think that leaves it up to me as what I want to do with it. Any comments?

[kanewtervalve]

I can't answer that one, tough call. I emailed the distributor about this where I'm getting my receiver, he told me his "agent"(I'm assuming ATF) told him that I am the designator. (read final destination of user). My FFl should log the receiver as just that, stripped receiver, meaning not pistol, not rifle. When filling out the 4473 my FFL should check "pistol" on the form. I am also required to fill out additional paperwork in PA for the state police if the receiver is designated pistol, then I am legal to build said receiver into a pistol but with the stipulations that go along with that, ex: no buttstock.

[JimM44]

I went to a gunshow this weekend and one dealer said they make a pistol upper that doesn't require a buffer. I would like to find out where and who makes it then I wouldn't need the pistol buffer installed and could just cap the end and put a sling swivel.

[thealien]

Jim, check your other thread

[U.S.M.C-Man]

you could finnish a tannery shop 80% receiver or make a scratch-built these would fall under a homemade firearm which do not need to be registered (unless it is an NFA 'AOW, Short barreled, or silenced' which would also require a tax stamp).

Here is some info on the scratch-built receiver (if you welded it up instead of screwing it and rounded its edges with a grinder or dremal then blued it, it would look pretty good) http://www.homegunsmith.com/cgi-bin/ib3/ikonboard.cgi?;act=ST;f=3;t=9366
http://www.homegunsmith.com/cgi-bin/ib3/iB_html/uploads/post-3-66788-PB180069.JPG

- U.S.M.C-Man

Sorry fellas, I did'nt know that pic was so big!

- U.S.M.C-Man

[yosuthnmasa]

So according to the letter, it would need to have been designated a pistol from the manufacturer, right?

"Verification must be obtained from the manufacturer of the receiver to establish its authenticity." Or does this statement refer to verifying authenticity of whether it the receiver was ever built into a rifle or not? If what you guys are saying is correct, dont need to worry about anything just as long as it has never built into a rifle, why do some manufacturers charge you more for a pistol lower? For example, I bought 2 stripped lowers, one a designated a rifle and one designated a pistol, from Ameetec Arms. The pistol price has been raised compared to the rifle price, because the "manufacturer has to do more paperwork". So if you guys are right, they're charging us extra money for something that doesn't need to be done. What do you guys think?

[kanewtervalve]

So according to the letter, it would need to have been designated a pistol from the manufacturer, right?

"Verification must be obtained from the manufacturer of the receiver to establish its authenticity." Or does this statement refer to verifying authenticity of whether it the receiver was ever built into a rifle or not? If what you guys are saying is correct, dont need to worry about anything just as long as it has never built into a rifle, why do some manufacturers charge you more for a pistol lower? For example, I bought 2 stripped lowers, one a designated a rifle and one designated a pistol, from Ameetec Arms. The pistol price has been raised compared to the rifle price, because the "manufacturer has to do more paperwork". So if you guys are right, they're charging us extra money for something that doesn't need to be done. What do you guys think?
Some distributors are selling them for more because they can get away with it, I don't listen to them, I listen to the BATFE beause they are ones that have the final say.